Doherty, Roisheen Andrea2024-08-132024-08-1319941994https://hdl.handle.net/1828/17670The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 15 days of cessation of training on maximal oxygen consumption (VO₂max) and selected physiological functions as they relate to VO₂max in female middle distance runners with a training base of at least two years. Fifteen female runners participated in the study (20 (3) yrs, 57.3 (1.4) kg, 163.7 (1.0) cm, and 49.6 (0.8) mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). One group ceased their training program for 15 days (CT, n=7) and one group maintained their training program (MT, n=8). The subjects were tested at day 0, 5, 10, and 15 to monitor body mass (kg), VO₂max (mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹), maximal heart rate (HR, bpm), cardiac output (Q, L·min⁻¹), stroke volume (SV, mL·beat⁻¹), arterial venous oxygen difference (a-v O₂ difference, mL·lOOmL⁻¹) and plasma concentration (PC, mL·lOOmL⁻¹). Body composition (SOS, mm) was examined at day 0 and day 15 and a running performance task (2400 m) was tested before day 0 and at day 16 of the study. Q, SV, and a-v O₂ difference were analysed via the CO₂ rebreathing method as described by Jones (1988). No significant changes in any of the variables were found at day 5. Ten days of no training resulted in a significant decrement in VO₂max of 3.8 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ in group CT. After fifteen days of no training, VO₂max was still significantly lower (p < 0.05) in comparison to the MT group. No significant changes were found in body mass, body composition, Q, SV, HRmax, a-v 02 difference, and PC after 15 days of no training. Running times increased significantly by 18.4 (7.1) seconds after 15 days which corresponded to the approximate 7. 8% mean decrease in VO₂max mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹. These findings suggest that in female runners, performance decrements found after 15 days of CT are likely due to declines in VO₂max.71 pagesAvailable to the World Wide WebThesis